Reading romance books captivated Joanne Wadsworth as a teenager, particularly when
she tucked herself into bed at night and continued to dream those stories as she
slept. She'd visualize the direction, taking the hero and heroine on an adventure
unparalleled to what she'd read. Today she is devoted to writing romance, bringing
her imagination to life within the lines of young adult, and thrilling romantic suspense.

Born in New Zealand, Joanne works both as a writer and a financial controller, all
while keeping up with her four energetic children and dreamy husband.

Book title: Protector

To love and protect…across worlds

Brief Synopsis:

Eighteen-year-old Faith Stryker is prepared to leap out into the unknown world beyond
her home shores of New Zealand to experience life. Only she never expected to encounter
Magio, a planet with two warring countries, where its people reach adulthood at eighteen
by coming into their strength and prophetic abilities. Only after Faith discovers
she’s a halfling--thanks to her warrior father she’s never met--does her own skill
of forethought develop.

Peacio’s Prince Davio Loveria is sent to the young Faith Stryker by his grandfather,
but not all goes as planned. Davio discovers Faith isn’t just a halfling, she’s also
his soul-bound mate--an intense relationship he cannot, nor will not, give up.

With two wars now waging…one of land and the other of the heart…can the young lovers
find their place in the world?

Personal

What do you do to relax when you are not writing?

Reading, or heading to the beach for family time. In New Zealand, we are an island
nation and there is never a beach far away.

What, or who, inspired you to become a writer?

I was inspired by my love of reading. I soon discovered that writing a book is ten-times
better than reading one. When writing, you go to a place where magic and imagination
soar. I love that.

Current work

What or who inspired you to write your current novel?

I wanted to write a young adult novel with eighteen-years-olds in the cast. The young
adult genre is so refreshing to read. It takes us back to that time in our lives
when we’re carefree, perhaps enjoying first-love and embarking on self-discovery.
I love escaping back to this time with a good book.

Tell us three interesting facts about your book which are not covered in the synopsis.

1) All New Zealand locations used in the book are real places.

2) The main character is feisty with cheeky one-liners that’ll make you laugh.

3) There are sword-fighting scenes that are tense and exciting.

What research did you need to do for this book?

I climbed a mountain. Yes, I did. All so I knew what the view from the top was like.
It was an important location in a couple of the book’s scenes, and I needed to be
completely accurate in my descriptions.

Are any elements/characters of your book based on real life experiences or people
you’ve met/known?

The main character’s best friend, looks like my younger sister. I just love those
red-gold spiral curls of hers and had to use the description. Other than that, it’s
a work of fiction.

Tell us a little about your current work-in-progress.

Warrior is book two in the Magio-Earth series. It’s a young adult/fantasy/paranormal
romance. I have a huge cast of heroes and heroines and villains that are all demanding
to have their story told.

Writing/publication process

What process did you adopt from inception through to the finished book?

Work hard and have fun while I write. Nice and simple.

What do you need (or not need) around you whilst writing?

Just quiet. With four kiddies aged 14, 12, 10 & 8, any noise is a distraction. Once
they’re off to school, I’m like a bullet heading to my office.

How easy did you find it getting a publisher?

Finding a publisher is like seeking a needle in a haystack. There are very few publishers
who open up directly to cold submissions. Usually you must have an agent. I started
my submission process in July 2011 by seeking an agent, sending out fifteen to twenty queries
each month. I started a spread sheet, because you need to take note of which agent
at which house you send them to, then note their responses. In running my research,
I discovered most writers say for every thirty submissions you send, you'll get one
request for a partial on your manuscript. I'd say that was about accurate for me.
If an agent likes your partial, they'll ask for a full. It's an incredibly slow process,
one which takes months and months.

Ironically I discovered my publisher during an open submission call for a new line
they were beginning within the young adult genre. They were requesting full manuscripts
(highly unusual,) but your book had to meet their strict criteria. I went through
their long list and discovered I ticked all the boxes. From there I experienced a
whirlwind of activity which is completely out of the norm. I submitted Protector
in full on 17th January 2012, and received a contract two days later on 19th January.
I was assigned an editor--and it was all go. I could not be more grateful to Lyrical
Press for giving me my first "yes."

What were the three biggest challenges you faced when writing your book?

1) The rewrites--there were so many of them. I didn’t realise how long it would
take me perfect every single sentence. I’ve read my book a thousand times--I swear
that’s true.

2) Editing was a huge learning curve, too. It still is to this day. A writer never
stops learning.

3) Balancing my time between my passion for writing, and my love of my family. I
write during the day when all is quiet, or late at night after four exhausted children
have gone to bed and closed their eyes.

Every author seems to suffer with writer’s block at some point. How do you overcome
it?

I’ve never had it in the four years I’ve been writing. I’m the opposite. I have too
much information and ideas going around in my head. I have more books to write than
I could possibly get onto paper.

What single piece of advice would you give to any aspiring writer?

Write because it’s your passion, and never stop. Your writing will improve the harder
you work at your craft.

Genre

What genre does your book fall into?

Young adult/fantasy/paranormal romance. It’s one of those young adult books which
crosses the generations into the adult market.

How did you get interested in this specific genre?

I’d read the Twilight series and was determined to produce something to blast this
out of the water. Protector doesn’t include vampires or werewolves, but another world
and Earth. All fingers and toes are now crossed that I’ll get there.

You as a reader

Which three authors have inspired you the most, and why?

1) Nalini Singh. She’s a NY Times bestselling author who writes adult paranormal
romance and is a New Zealander.

2) Christine Feehan. She led the way and is often referred to as the queen of paranormal.

3) Sherrilyn Kenyon. She’s great at world-building and producing characters you
never forget.

What was your favourite book as a child?

Sweet Valley High’s long-running series came out when I was in middle-school. From
the ages of 11 to 16 my mother bought me a copy each month. She fostered my love
of reading from a very early age.

What is the best book you’ve read in the last 12 months?

Nalini Singh’s Angels’ Blood. It’s the first book in her Guild Hunter series. Nalini
weaves location and character descriptions with amazing talent.

What was the last book you recommended to a friend, and why did you think it was
worthy of recommendation?

Witch Way To Turn by Karen Y. Bynum. It’s Karen’s debut novel, a young adult with
past-faced action.

Kindle (or other e-reader) or paperback, and why?

Kindle. Who doesn’t want to have 3500 books right on hand?

Hollywood is calling

You’ve had the call from Hollywood and they want your opinion on who should play
the leading roles in the film based upon your book. Who would you choose, and why?

For Davio, my prince and hero, I’m going with Jake Gyllenhaal. He’s already shown
me he can handle a sword like in Prince of Persia. Oh yeah, I’m visualising it now.
I just have to tackle New Zealand director, Peter Jackson, to come on board.

The film of your book is now going to need a soundtrack. Which musician(s) would
you want to write and play it?

My fourteen-year-old daughter would demand I go with One Direction, but I’d go with
Lady Antebellum. I have a feeling my daughter would win though.

Favourites

Drink – Lemon and lime bitters. Ahh, so refreshing.

Meal – Fresh fish caught from the ocean and served on my plate the same day. Y-u-m-m-y.

Holiday destination – Fiji. The friendliest people in the world live there.

TV programme – Vampire Diaries.

Film – The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Method of travel – My own two feet. Writing at a desk all day, means I need to use
them.

Sport – Pilates/yoga. I’m a sore-jelly mess when I slide out of one of those classes.

(Excerpt)

PROTECTOR

Davio leaned over me, all six foot four of him, his warm honey-brown hair falling
forward to curl snugly around his neck, and I longed for him, just as I had during
my first sighting of him in the classroom.

“What’s happening is the bond, my mate. It will become difficult for me to keep my
distance both physically and emotionally unless I leave and end this now.”

My heart hitched. “You want to leave?” I swayed closer on impulse. “Is that how this
bond works? We find each other and then you leave?” God preserve his people if it
did.

“No, it is not. Those mated are bonded for life if we allow the link to grow. Except
that would be the most unwise choice for us to take. You are, quite clearly, neither
from my country nor from my world, and as such will have no allegiance to me or my
people. I have no wish to join with one who does not wish to join with me in all
ways. With that being the case, I will find another when the time is right. As should
you,” he added solemnly.

I frowned. Hold on--did he just say he would be joining with another woman?

I bit my tongue. That was good? I should leave it at that, right?

Jeez, what was wrong with me for questioning that choice?

“I’m sorry. We just met, and you’re right. Go find your, your--” Strangely, I struggled
to get the words out and finally gave up. “Well, have yourself a nice long life,
and all that.” I patted his chest roughly.

That was more like me.

The clock ticked and time slowed.

He didn’t move.

“Look at me.” He tipped up my chin, directly staring at me. “This would never work.”

“I understand. It’s been pretty awful meeting you too.” I leaned back, only to feel
the pressure of his hand move around my waist to the small of my back, preventing
me.